Health is where we live, work, play, and pray. That’s my (and others’) mantra if we want to truly bend down the cost curve and improve medical outcomes. If we’re serious about achieving what I call the Triple Aim – improving public health, lowering spending, and enhancing the patient/health consumer experience (which can drive acti...Read More
This past week I spoke with a patient who noted that since his wife’s death six months ago, he had lost 40 pounds, slept a maximum of four hours nightly, and stopped enjoying activities he used to take pleasure in. He found it difficult to concentrate at work, and getting out of bed each morning was described as his greatest struggle. While relaying...Read More
As our medical system attempts to evolve to better deal with the modern epidemics of lifestyle-driven chronic disease, much time and attention is being placed on the clinical models for prevention. Rightly so, and various viable models are popping up with names like lifestyle medicine, preventative medicine, and functional medicine. But one area...Read More
It’s that time of year again. Bright-eyed fourth years have begun wandering our hospital in uncomfortable shoes and fancy suits. They look equal parts nervous and excited, ready to embark on the insane adventure that is being an intern. But first, they have to survive interview season and Match Day: a stressful, expensive, hoop-jumping endeavor that...Read More
A dignified man, mentally sharp with clear blue eyes, sat before me. Next to him, his wife of 51 years, and next to her, their three children. His voice – surprisingly soft, and muted – offered the probability that he was nervous. Yet his attention was unwavering. He appeared to be waiting for me to speak. Mr. Meyers (not his real na...Read More
Recently, I was contacted by a prestigious medical organization that was seeking expansion of its board membership. I presumed that this was a personal invitation to join the cause, but soon realized that the caller wanted to use my influence to locate “more credible” candidates with academic gravitas. When I asked what sort of candi...Read More
Traditional medical school training is too expensive, takes too long, and is not addressing the primary care needs of the country, a complex problem with many moving parts. Medical students burdened by mountains of debt and unable to begin earning until well into their late twenties or early thirties often gravitate to higher-paid specialties and practice...Read More
A student told me about an experience at TEDMED, the future-oriented medical conference that bills itself as “a celebration of human achievement and the power of connecting the unconnected in creative ways to change our world in health and medicine.” He recounted how one speaker showed off the Remote Presence Virtual + Independent Telemedicine...Read More
